MADISON- The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) currently serves 133,868 student-athletes in five counties including 79,754 in Madison County alone. The Northeast Alabama FCA has a presence in over 100 schools over its coverage area and the funds needed to assist those students continue to rise.

To help with the necessary funding to keep the FCA prominent among the youth in North Alabama the faith-based organization needs to rase $402,500 by Dec. 31. The ministry impact has grown over the years and the financial resources required to meet that growth has also expanded. So much so, it now cost $2,850 per day to keep all FCA Missionaries serving the field across North Alabama. The five counties and their student population currently among the FCA include: Madison (79,754), Marshall (19,611), Cullman (17,984), Jackson (8,763) and Blount (7,756).

As for the innerworkings of the FCA, there are seven full-time employees and eight part-time members along with about 50 student interns and volunteers. Estimated operating cost is slightly over $1-million yearly.

“I’d like to thank and praise God for the Northeast Alabama community that has been faithful to provide funds for almost two decades for the FCA ministry,” said Ken Burnett multi-area director of the Northeast Alabama FCA. “We have 40-50 staff members who serve each summer at sports camps across the area, and that cost is great, yet, the result of our efforts and the return on one’s investment is greater.”

Some of the workings of the FCA with local student-athletes includes four summer Sports Camps with over 1,000 in attendance ages 7-13, the Power Leadership Training Conference in August that ministered to over 500 students, coaches and adult volunteers, over 40 Coaches Breakfasts with over 400 coaches in attendance, and Coach and Spouse Marriage Enrichment Weekend with 50 couples joining in.

For the past 17 years FCA has served the multitudes of student-athletes, many of whom has searched for a direction in their lives through faith. With the assistance of the FCA, most of those student-athletes gained somewhat of direction through faith and comradery with fellow athletes. To keep pace with the current activities additional funds are needed and the FCA is asking for help.

“To businesses and individuals who are currently helping or considering assisting the student-athletes of North Alabama, it would be such an honor to have you partner with us to take the Gospel into the schools and communities of North Alabama,” added Burnett.

To become a financial partner of the FCA, especially during the holiday months of giving a year-end gift to help make the goal set by FCA, visit the organization’s website: www.fca.org for complete details on how to be involved as a volunteer and/or financial giving.